Horse slowing down walking down hill?

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Pebbles horse

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Hi all,
I have just started riding my horse again after 9months off as I have just had a baby. I am only doing road work at walk to ease him and me back into things! I have noticed that when going downhill (not particularly steep) he slows down and seems to tread more carefully. Just out of the yard is the steepest hill on our hack and he manages that fine but is obviously keen to get doing

so....... Wondering its been playing on my mind whether there may be an underlying problem or it's just him getting used to being riding again, finding his balance??.???? Getting used to having shoes on again???

little worried... Any thoughts. Chiro out next week as have also noticed he slightly crooked to the right!!


thanks in advance
 
Belated congratulations on the birth of your baby!

If it was my horse I would be concerned too, but the problem may or may not be veterinary. I know this is one of the most common questions asked on here, but have you had the saddle checked? If the horse has been let down, he will be a different shape and if the saddle doesn't fit, going downhill is the situation when the problem will be most pronounced.
 
Yes good point may be worth getting saddle checked! Was made to measure but that means nothing now as he is more than likely a different shape. I will also get a friend may be to lead him down a hill so I can watch from the ground! (With and without saddle on)
Thanks for getting back to me:)
 
Agree with this. There are various things it potentially could be a sign of, but a saddle prob is exactly where I'd start first, esp if the horse is just coming back into work after a long break. These often show up when going downhill, for example by restricting the shoulders, leading to slowing down, taking fairy steps, or even bucking / broncing...
 
Agree with comment about saddle but also worth remembering too if he hasn't been ridden for a while his muscles will have to adjust to carrying weight again - especially those in his back/quarters which have to work harder to maintain balance when going down hill. Including some in hand work a couple of days a week might help to loosen things up a bit.
 
Thanks for the comments, yes my thoughts also to work him in hand/gentle lunge see if it shows anything up! Going down the hill he does feel unbalanced and a bit light behind like he could buck but hasn't actually as yet!
 
Hi all,
Update on my boy, today a couple of my horsey friend came over to mine to watch him from the ground! We walked him up and down a coupe of hills and he motored up and Down them no problem! Thinking now last time I rode was the first time I'd asked him for an outline and he was probably a bit tired on the hills hence slowing down!.... Will keep an eye on situation though.

As I said before I noticed he was 'crooked' to the right! Will try and describe best I can... I trotted him up for my friends all noticed the same and also standing square his behind seems more built on the left than right!

Next had him on a small circle on the lunge. On the left rein he managed fine crossed left hind leg over like you would expect but on right rein he didn't seem as comfortable crossing right hind leg
over!

Has anyone got any views on this! I'm wondering if as he's crocked and has more muscle on his left bottom for say it's harder for him to work the right hind leg or could there be problems in the right hind leg causing uneven muscle and crook to right!

Sorry hope some of that makes sense
 
Pebbles horse said:
Hi all,
Update on my boy, today a couple of my horsey friend came over to mine to watch him from the ground! We walked him up and down a coupe of hills and he motored up and Down them no problem! Thinking now last time I rode was the first time I'd asked him for an outline and he was probably a bit tired on the hills hence slowing down!.... Will keep an eye on situation though.

As I said before I noticed he was 'crooked' to the right! Will try and describe best I can... I trotted him up for my friends all noticed the same and also standing square his behind seems more built on the left than right!

Next had him on a small circle on the lunge. On the left rein he managed fine crossed left hind leg over like you would expect but on right rein he didn't seem as comfortable crossing right hind leg
over!

Has anyone got any views on this! I'm wondering if as he's crocked and has more muscle on his left bottom for say it's harder for him to work the right hind leg or could there be problems in the right hind leg causing uneven muscle and crook to right!

Sorry hope some of that makes sense
Click to expand...


Personally I would get him the once over by a chiro or a emt, for an emt (massage therapist) I can reccomend Tamar smith, she comes to Cornwall regularly or for chiro Emma Station. If your horse is uneven, either of these will be able to sort the issue.
 
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One thing that might help is understanding the different landings that a horse has to do be it barefoot or shod.
The barefoot horse will try and come down heel first, a shod horse will try and land level then rotate the body weight through the stride on the shoe
This may explain it better (2 videos at the bottom)
 
One thing that might help is understanding the different landings that a horse has to do be it barefoot or shod.
The barefoot horse will try and come down heel first, a shod horse will try and land level then rotate the body weight through the stride on the shoe
This may explain it better (2 videos at the bottom)
http://www.rockfoot.com/footfall.html
 
Don't want to worry you but my horse was the same, walked slowly downhill crossing one of his back legs and uneven muscle when viewed from behind .... Was psd

Definately get your horse checked before you do to much more
 
lannerch said:
Don't want to worry you but my horse was the same, walked slowly downhill crossing one of his back legs and uneven muscle when viewed from behind .... Was psd

Definately get your horse checked before you do to much more
Click to expand...

Psd and bone spavin keeps playing on my mind with him! What were your horses symptoms and outcome! With my boy the most noticeably thing is that on a tight circle on right rein he not right on the right hind not stepping under and across enough occasionally dragging it! Uneven muscle etc Best get the vet out!:(
 
Lame worse on soft service much more pronounced on one rein, increased in lameness over time.
Good news outcome very positive after irap ( mainly for damaged ligament in front hoof not the psd although the suspensories were done as well ) box rest and a rehab program on full work is compitition fit and hopefully back eventing this year.
 
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